Stock wing merchandise display

ABSTRACT

A merchandising display system having a molded shelf unit containing a plurality of shelves and/or a pegboard for holding goods, and one or more graphic panels for displaying advertising or other information is disclosed. The shelf unit includes first and second side walls having undulating front edges. The graphic panels conform to match the undulating edges.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is being filed concurrently with U.S. Designpatent application No. 29/296,664 (Attorney Docket No.: 53067-3030).

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention generally relates to a merchandise display system, andmore particularly, to a stock wing merchandise display system having amolded shelf support unit for supporting a plurality of merchandiseholding shelves or a peg board, and information panels for displayingadvertisements or other relevant data.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are numerous systems for displaying merchandise. Some systems,e.g. display shelves, can be purely functional with no special featuresfor attracting customers or providing any information or advertising toprospective customers.

An effort is made to create systems which are both functional anddecorative—both to attract customer attention to the products displayedand differentiate the systems from more mundane displays. Additionally,it can be of further value to develop displays which can provideinformation or advertising.

The present invention is provided to solve the problems discussed aboveand other problems, and to provide advantages and aspects not providedby prior displays. A full discussion of the features and advantages ofthe present invention is deferred to the following detailed description,which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONA

The present invention provides a stock wing merchandise display system.The display system incorporates unique styling, including undulating orcurvilinear side walls, and graphic display panels to provide additionalinformation or advertising and further attract customers to the goods orproducts displayed.

In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a display system forstocking and displaying goods is provided. The display system includes ashelf holder having a back wall defining a plane, a first side wallextending outwardly along a first side of the back wall, and a secondside wall extending outwardly from a second side of the back wall. Afirst graphic panel extends along a top portion of the shelf holder andis disposed outwardly from the plane of the back wall. A second graphicpanel is positioned below the first graphic panel and is also disposedoutwardly from the plane of the back wall. The display further includesa plurality of shelves connected to the shelf holder.

Each of the plurality of shelves can comprise a bottom wall, a firstside wall extending upwardly from a first side of the bottom wall, asecond sidewall extending upwardly from a second side of the bottomwall, a first end wall extending upwardly from a first end of the bottomwall and a second end wall extending upwardly from a second end of thebottom wall.

The shelves can be formed from a clear or translucent material.Alternatively, the shelves can be opaque. The shelves can all be of onecolor, or in a plurality of colors, or include patterns or othergraphics.

One of the plurality of shelves can be configured to have a first widthfrom the first end to the second end of the shelf, while the remainingplurality of shelves have a second width from the first end to thesecond end of the shelves, where the first width is less than the secondwidth. This is to accommodate or provide room for the second graphicpanel which is aligned with the one shelf.

The first and second side walls can be configured to have an undulatingfront or outer edge (especially as viewed from the side of the system).This provides a distinctive or unique style for the display system todraw a customer's attention to the goods stocked on the shelves and toadvertisements or other graphics displayed in the graphic display panels

The display system further comprises a bottom wall extending along abottom edge of the back wall. The plurality of shelves can extendoutward from the back wall a distance greater than an outer edge of thebottom wall.

Additionally, the shelf holder has a plurality of openings or aperturesfor mounting the plurality of shelves. The plurality of openings allowsfor mounting the plurality of shelves at multiple positions. Otherconventional means can be utilized to connect the shelves to the shelfholder. Additionally, shelves could be integrally formed into the unit.In this instance, it may be easier to form the shelves without a frontwall.

In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, a merchandisedisplay system comprises a molded plastic shelf holder unit having agenerally planar back wall portion defining a shelving area. A lowerwall extending from a bottom of the back wall portion defines a lowerend to the shelving area, and an upper wall extending from a top of theback wall portion defines an upper end to the shelving area. A firstside wall extends along a first side of the shelving area and has afront edge having a first portion extending a first distance from theback wall portion and a second portion extending a second distance fromthe back wall portion wherein the first distance is greater than thesecond distance. A first graphic panel is positioned proximate the firstside wall having a first portion extending the first distance from theback wall portion and a second portion extending the second distancefrom the back wall portion.

The merchandise display system further comprises a plurality of shelvesconnected to the shelf holder in the shelving area. The shelves may beintegrally connected or formed with the shelf holder, or connectable tothe shelf holder.

Each of the plurality of shelves is formed into a tray having opposingfirst and second ends and opposing first and second sides, the ends andsides extending from a bottom wall. The plurality of shelves can beformed from a translucent material.

The front edge of the first side wall can be formed to have anundulating configuration. Additionally, the first graphic panel can beformed to match at least a portion of the undulating configuration.

Similar to the first side wall, the display system can include a secondside wall extending along a second side of the shelving area and havinga front edge with a first portion extending a first distance from theback wall portion and a second portion extending a second distance fromthe back wall portion wherein the first distance is greater than thesecond distance. The second side wall can have an undulatingconfiguration matching the undulating configuration of the front edge ofthe first side wall.

In accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention a merchandisedisplay system for providing shelving space and advertising spacecomprises a molded plastic shelf unit configured to support a pluralityof shelves in a shelving area. A plurality of shelves are connected tothe molded plastic shelf unit in the shelving area of the unit. A firstgraphic panel is formed in the molded plastic shelf unit positionedabove the shelving area and, a second graphic panel is formed in themolded plastic shelf unit proximate an end of a top one of the pluralityof shelves. The second graphic panel is configured to have an indentedregion to allow placement of a product on a shelf below the top one ofthe plurality of shelves

In accordance with yet a further embodiment of the invention, a displaysystem is provided that includes a pegboard connected to the back wallof the system. The display system comprises a display unit having a backwall, a first side wall extending outward from the back wall and asecond side wall extending outward from the back wall. The display unitalso includes a first graphic panel extending along a top portion of thedisplay unit and disposed outward from the back wall. A pegboard havinga plurality of apertures is connected to the display unit. The pegboardis preferably configured to match the shape and size of the back wall ofthe display unit.

The display system further comprises a plurality of conical postsconnected to the back wall of the display unit and to the pegboard. Theposts are used to connect and support the pegboard on the display unit,and create a space between the back wall and the pegboard. The spaceallows hooks, rods and/or other structures to be inserted through theapertures in the pegboard to secure the structures to the pegboard. Suchstructures could be incorporated in the goods or other items to bedisplayed on the display system, or could be used to support such goodsor other items. For example, a plurality of bagged goods having a topeyelet can be supported by a rod secured to and extending from thepegboard.

Each of the plurality of posts includes a front opening and an internalthread configuration. The internal thread is designed to cooperate withthreads of a screw. The screw can be inserted through one of theapertures in the pegboard to secure the pegboard to post. Similarly, thepost can have a back opening with an internal thread configuration tosecure the post to the back wall of the display unit through an apertureor hold in the back wall. Other means, such as an epoxy, can also beused to connect the posts to either the back wall or the pegboard.

The display system can also include a second graphic panel formed in thedisplay unit. The second graphic panel can be positioned proximate thefirst side wall and extend downward from the first graphic panel.

Similar to display system having shelves, each of the first and secondside walls of the display system of the present embodiment can have anundulating front edge. The first and second graphic panels arepreferably configured to match the front edge of the side walls.

In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, the display unitcan be configured to include both a pegboard and one or more shelves.

The displays described herein can be configured to be mountable to othersystems. For example the display systems can be mounted to a wire frameunit.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from thefollowing specification taken in conjunction with the followingdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS AND ATTACHMENTS

To understand the present invention, it will now be described by way ofexample, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the display system ofthe present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front plan view of the display system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is back plan view the display system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a first side plan view of the display system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a second side plan view of the display system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the display system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view of the display system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the back of the display system of FIG. 1without a back panel;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an alternative display system having apegboard in accordance with the present invention; and,

FIG. 10 is an exploded view of the alternative display system of FIG. 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While this invention is susceptible of embodiments in many differentforms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described indetail preferred embodiments of the invention with the understandingthat the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification ofthe principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broadaspect of the invention to the embodiments illustrated.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a stock wing display system 10 in accordancewith the present invention is provided. The stock wing display system 10includes a molded plastic shelf unit or shelf holder 12. The shelf unit12 includes a shelving area 14 having an upper portion narrower than thelower portion as explained below.

The shelving area 14 supports a plurality of shelves 16 for holdinggoods or products for display or sale at a store. The shelves 16 areformed into trays, with each tray having a front side wall 18 andopposing back side wall 20. The side walls 18, 20 extend between a firstend wall 22 and an opposing second end wall 24. The side walls 18, 20and end walls 22, 24 of the shelves 16 extend upward from a flat bottomwall 25.

The shelves can be formed from a clear or translucent plastic or othersimilar material, or can be opaque. Additionally, the shelves mayinclude advertising or some other information, indicia or graphics.

The shelf unit 12 includes a first side wall 26 and an opposing secondside wall 28. The shelf unit 12 also includes a bottom wall 30 and a topwall 32. FIGS. 6 and 7 provide a top plan view and bottom plan view ofthe shelf unit 12, respectively.

The shelving unit 12 is formed to include a first graphic panel 34positioned above the shelving area 14. The shelving unit 12 alsoincludes a second graphic panel 36 positioned proximate the second side28 and extending downward from the first graphic panel.

The graphic panels 34, 36 can be used to display advertising orinformation relating to the goods or products supported by the pluralityof shelves 16. Alternatively, one or both panels can be used to displayadvertising or information for another product, such as one that isrelated to or goes with the goods supported by the shelves. This allowsfor cross-selling other products and provides another avenue forincreasing revenue.

FIG. 3 provides a plan view of the back of the shelf unit 12. Asillustrated in FIG. 3, the shelf unit 12 also includes a back panel 37which can be connected to the shelf unit 12. The back panel 37 caninclude slots or apertures 39 for connecting the display system 10 to awall or other structure, such as a wire frame. Alternatively, the backpanel may be provided with other conventional means for mounting thesystem 10.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 8, the graphic panels 34, 36 are moldeddirectly into the shelf unit 12. In this regard, FIG. 8 provides a viewof the graphic panels from the perspective of the back of the unit 12without the back panel 37 in place.

As evident from these Figures, the first graphic panel 34 extends fromthe top wall 32 of the shelf unit 12 to a first lower wall 38. The firstgraphic panel also extends substantially from the first side 26 of thedisplay unit 12 to the second side 28.

The second graphic panel 36 extends downward from a portion of the firstgraphic panel proximate the second side wall 28 to a second lower wall40. The second graphic panel 36 also extends from the second side wall28 to an interior wall 42.

In combination, the first lower wall 38, second lower wall 40 and innerwall 42 of the graphic panels 34, 36 form an upper boundary of theshelving area 14. Because the second graphic panel 36 extends inwardfrom the second side wall 28, the upper portion of the shelving area 14is narrower than the lower portion. To accommodate the narrower areabetween the first side wall 26 and the inner wall 42, the topmost one ofthe plurality of shelves 16 is formed to have side walls which 18, 20which extend from the first end 22 to the second end 24 a distance lessthan the side walls 18, 20 of the remaining shelves. While only oneshelf 16 has the reduced side walls 18, 20 in the embodiment shown,additional shelves can be formed to fit in the upper area.

FIG. 8 also shows a back wall 45 of the shelving area 14. The back wall45 includes apertures which may be used for use in connecting orsupporting the shelves 16. Alternatively, apertures 49 along the sidewalls or inner wall 42 are utilized. The back wall 45 also defines aplane from which the side walls 26, 28, bottom and top walls 30, 32, andgraphic panels 34, 36 extend forward from.

The side walls 26, 28 of the shelf unit 12 are stylishly configured todraw attention to the displayed goods 44 supported by the shelves 16,and to the graphic panels 34, 36. In this regard, the profiles of theside walls 26 and 28, illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, show each side wall26, 28 having an undulating or curvilinear front edge 46, 48.

When viewing the side walls 26, 28 from the side of the display system10, the side walls 26, 28 each have at least one portion 50 whichextends a first distance from the back 52, 54 of the side wall 26, 28 tothe front edge 46, 48, which is greater than the distance a secondportion 56 of the side wall 26, 28 which extends from the back 52, 54 ofthe side wall 26, 28 to the front edge 46, 48. This is a result of theundulating or curvilinear front edge 46, 48 of the side walls 26, 28.

One effect of the undulating edge 46, 48 and the portions 50, 56 is thatsome shelves 16 are more exposed from a side view of the shelf unit 12than other shelves. Again, this adds to the visual appeal orattractiveness of the display system 10.

The graphic panels 34, 36 are flush with the front of the shelf unit 12.In this regard, the graphic panels 34, 36 match the undulating frontedge 46, 48 of the side walls 26, 28. Again, this also adds to thevisual appeal of the display system.

Referring back to FIG. 8, at least a portion of each side wall 26, 28can be formed to have a double wall, with an inner portion 60, 62 spacedclose to the outer side wall 26, 28. The apertures 49 will therefore notbe visible to an observer looking at the outer side wall areas 26, 28.Again this also adds to the visual appeal of the display system 10 andgives the system 10 a more refined look.

While four shelves 16 and two graphic panels 34, 36 are shown in theembodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-8, more or fewer shelves 16 and/orgraphic panels 32, 34 can be utilized without departing from the spiritof the present invention. Moreover, the number of shelves 16 in theupper, narrower portion of the display system 10, and/or in the lowerbroader portion can be altered as necessary to accommodate the size ordimensions of the system 10. Similarly, the dimensions of the shelves 16can also be altered to increase or decrease the number of shelves 16 thedisplay system 10 can accommodate and/or the size of the goods orproducts being supported by the display system 10.

Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, an alternative embodiment of a displaysystem 70 is shown. The display system 70 includes a molded plasticdisplay unit 72 that is similar to the shelf unit 12 of FIGS. 1-8.However, rather than supporting a plurality of shelves 16, the displayunit 72 is configured to support a pegboard 74. Goods and other itemscan be displayed via the pegboard 74 by various known means.

The pegboard 74 is configured to conform to the size and shape of theback wall 76 of the display unit 72. Accordingly, the pegboard 74 has agenerally rectangular shape with a portion in the upper right handcorner cut away to accommodate a second graphic panel 78 (correspondingto the second graphic panel 36 of the embodiment of FIGS. 1-8), thatextends downward from a first or top graphic panel 80.

The pegboard 74 can be a standard perforated wood panel cut to fit theinternal shape of the display unit 12 and match the back wall 76.Alternatively, plastic or other materials can be used to create thepegboard panel. The panel can be painted, stained or otherwise decoratedas desired. The pegboard 74 is provided with a plurality of holes orapertures 82 cut in straight rows and columns. The holes 82 are utilizedto with hooks and/or other structures to enable goods and other items tobe displayed on the display unit 72.

In order to accommodate or provide room for portions of the hooks and/orother structure used to secure the goods or other items to the pegboard74, the display system 70 is configured to provide a space between theback of the pegboard 74 and the back wall 76 of the display unit 12.Referring to the exploded view of FIG. 10, to create the space betweenthe back wall 76 and the pegboard 74, the display system 70 is providedwith a plurality of stand off posts 84. The stand off posts 84 are usedto connect the pegboard 74 to the display unit 72 and maintain aseparation of the pegboard 74 from the back wall 76 of the display unit72.

The posts 84 can each include a threaded nut insert or structure 86 in aforward facing portion of the post 84. This allows for attaching thepegboard 74 to the post 84 using screws inserted in appropriate holes 82in the pegboard 74. Similarly, the posts 84 can include an internalthreaded structure in the back facing portion of the post 84 to connectthe post 84 to the display unit 72 using screws inserted through holes88 in the back wall 76 of the display unit 72.

Alternatively, the posts 84 can be connected to the back wall 76 of thedisplay unit 72 and/or the pegboard 74 by other means. These caninclude, for example, epoxy (i.e., a glue or other adhesive) or a foamtape, or sonic or heat welding. Additionally, the posts 84 can also beintegrally formed with or molded directly into the display unit 72.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the shelf unit 12 of FIGS.1-8 can be converted into a display unit 72. This is simply accomplishedby removing the shelves 16 and attaching a pegboard 74 to the back panel37 with a plurality of posts 84.

The back wall 76 of the display unit 72 can also be configured toinclude circular detents 90 for locating the posts 84 on the displayunit 72. The detents can be molded into the display unit 72 or otherwiseattached to the display unit 72.

The pegboard 74 can be utilized with metal or plastic rods, hooks and/orother support structures for holding a plurality of goods or otheritems. Such components are typically provided with feet or other similarconfigurations to anchor the support structures to the pegboard 74 ofthe display system 70 utilizing one or more of the holes 82 in thepegboard 74.

Similar to the embodiment of FIGS. 1-8, the display unit 72 is providedwith side walls 92, 94 having an undulating front edge. The display unit72 also includes the first and second graphic panels 78, 80 and mayinclude additional graphic panels as required for a particular use.Moreover, the size of the display unit can be modified as desireddepending on the number and/or size of the goods or other items to bedisplayed.

Although the embodiment of FIGS. 1-8 only shows the unit 12 with shelves16, and the embodiment of FIGS. 9-10 only shows the unit 72 with apegboard 74, another embodiment of the invention can be combine bothshelves and a pegboard in a single system. For example, one or moreshelves 16 can be placed in the system while leaving an area free for apegboard. Such a system could be used to support goods in the shelvesand other items that can be connected to the pegboard.

While the specific embodiments have been illustrated and described,numerous modifications come to mind without significantly departing fromthe spirit of the invention, and the scope of protection is only limitedby the scope of the accompanying claims.

1. A display system for stocking and displaying goods comprising: ashelf holder having a back wall defining a plane, a first side wallextending outwardly along a first side of the back wall, a second sidewall extending outwardly from a second side of the back wall; a firstgraphic panel extending along a top portion of the shelf holder, thefirst graphic panel disposed outwardly from the plane of the back wall;a second graphic panel positioned below the first graphic panel, thesecond graphic panel disposed outwardly from the plane of the back wall;and, a plurality of shelves connected to the shelf holder.
 2. Thedisplay system of claim 1 wherein each of the plurality of shelvescomprises a bottom wall, a first side wall extending upwardly from afirst side of the bottom wall, a second sidewall extending upwardly froma second side of the bottom wall, a first end wall extending upwardlyfrom a first end of the bottom wall and a second end wall extendingupwardly from a second end of the bottom wall.
 3. The display system ofclaim 2 wherein each of the plurality of shelves is formed from atranslucent material.
 4. The display system of claim 1 wherein one ofthe plurality of shelves has a first width from the first end to thesecond end of the shelf, and the remaining plurality of shelves have asecond width from the first end to the second end of the shelves, thefirst width being less than the second width.
 5. The display system ofclaim 1 wherein the one shelf of the plurality of shelves is alignedwith the second graphic panel.
 6. The display system of claim 1 whereinthe first and second side walls each have an undulating front edge. 7.The display system of claim 6 wherein the plurality of shelves extendoutward from the back wall a distance greater than a portion of thefront edge of the bottom wall.
 8. The display system of claim 1 whereinthe shelf holder has a plurality of openings for mounting the pluralityof shelves.
 9. A merchandise display system comprising: a molded plasticshelf holder unit having a generally planar back wall portion defining ashelving area, a lower wall extending from a bottom of the back wallportion defining a lower end to the shelving area, and an upper wallextending from a top of the back wall portion defining an upper end tothe shelving area, a first side wall extending along a first side of theshelving area and having a front edge having a first portion extending afirst distance from the back wall portion and a second portion extendinga second distance from the back wall portion wherein the first distanceis greater than the second distance, and a first graphic panelpositioned proximate the first side wall having a first portionextending the first distance from the back wall portion and a secondportion extending the second distance from the back wall portion. 10.The merchandise display system of claim 9 further comprising a pluralityof shelves connected to the shelf holder in the shelving area.
 11. Themerchandise displays system of claim 10 wherein each of the plurality ofshelves is formed into a tray having opposing first and second ends andopposing first and second sides, the ends and sides extending from abottom wall.
 12. The merchandise display system of claim 10 wherein thefront edge of the first side wall has an undulating configuration. 13.The merchandise display system of claim 12 wherein the first graphicpanel matches at least a portion of the undulating configuration. 14.The merchandise display system of claim 12 further comprising a secondside wall extending along a second side of the shelving area and havinga front edge with a first portion extending a first distance from theback wall portion and a second portion extending a second distance fromthe back wall portion wherein the first distance is greater than thesecond distance.
 15. The merchandise system of claim 14 wherein thefront edge of the second side wall has an undulating configurationmatching the undulating configuration of the front edge of the firstside wall.
 16. A merchandise display system for displaying goods andproviding space for advertising or other information comprising: adisplay unit having a back wall, a first side wall extending outwardfrom the back wall and a second side wall extending outward from theback wall, a first graphic panel extending along a top portion of thedisplay unit and disposed outward from the back wall; and a pegboardhaving a plurality of apertures connected to the display unit.
 17. Themerchandise display system of claim 16 further comprising a plurality ofposts connected to the back wall of the display unit and to the pegboardto support the pegboard on the display unit and create a space betweenthe back wall and the pegboard.
 18. The merchandise display system ofclaim 17 wherein each of the plurality of posts includes a front openingand an internal thread configuration designed to cooperate with threadsof a screw to secure the pegboard to post.
 19. The merchandise displaysystem of claim 16 further comprising a second graphic panel formed inthe display unit proximate the first side wall and extending downwardfrom the first graphic panel.
 20. The merchandise display system ofclaim 16 wherein each of the first and second side walls have anundulating front edge.